Cardio!

Seriously! The past three nights, after hard cardio sessions in the afternoon (I went running last night after gardening,) I have slept SO incredibly well.

No trouble falling asleep.

No waking up in the middle of the night.

No grogginess in the morning.

I can 100% tell the difference in the quality of my sleep on the days that I have vs. have not had a tough workout. What about you?

On my rather chipper, warm (57 degrees!) morning Mom walk today, we stumbled upon the signs of spring twice! First we came across a baby bird on the sidewalk, that couldn’t have been more than a few days old. He had yet to shed his “fluff” and was just sitting there, so cute! I would’ve taken a picture, but didn’t want to disturb it and/or face the wrath of mama bird - trust me it’s happened before. Picture my brother being chased around and around my parents house by a very angry mother bird after messing with her nest – hysterical!

Later we came across this perfectly blue, Robin’s egg. So tiny and perfect. Awwww.

The blue continued onto breakfast – I had Blueberry Banana Overnight Oats!

In the mix:

• 1 Fat Free Raspberry Yogurt
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond breeze
• 1 mashed banana
• 1/2 Tablespoon chia seeds
• frozen blueberries

Obviously this picture is pre “overnight” but this morning the blueberries had melted and made a thick, sweet, luscious sauce. Divine!

This bowl was HUGE! It’ll definitely keep me full for the morning. Hopefully, anyways…! 

Lunch is the same salad I made on Sunday night for Monday’s lunch, (chop once, eat twice!) a big Chopped Salad!

In the mix:

• Mixed greens
• Spinach
• Dole Stir Fry Medley
• Celery
• Dried cranberries
• Turkey

The Trader Joe’s brand Sesame Soy Ginger Vinaigrette was FANTASTIC on this on Monday, so I’m excited to use it again. A little goes a long way!

I also brought a Lime + Salt Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn bag to crunch on this afternoon. It’s sooooo good.

Good eats today!

In other news, it’s soooooomebody’s speeeecial day today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

 You won’t find a man that loves his family more than this guy, right here.

He’d do absolutely anything for us,

which we all feel incredibly lucky to know.

I am my father’s daughter in MANY more ways than one,

and I couldn’t be prouder to call him mine. Happy Birthday Pops!

We’re celebrating with a BBQ at my parent’s house tonight. Here’s hoping the rain hold out!!

TGIAF – have a great day!

~~~~~

When is your birthday? Do you have any special birthday traditions?

My birthday is July 5th – SO CLOSE to the 4th! 6 hours and 42 minutes close, to be exact.

Our birthday traditions include having a Pepperidge Farm birthday cake, and choosing which restaurant you wanted to go to for dinner!